Louise Riesling

balances nicely between sweet, fruity and dry, thanks in large part to its low alcohol, high acidity and unique fermentation process. It is a welcome opener for dinner parties, perfect for hors d’oeuvres on the patio or as a first course in a formal dinner. Fermented almost dry with no barrel aging, the result is a crisp and refreshing limited-production wine. The later varietals in this series were named Louise in honor of Christian Gaston’s wife, Jessica Louise.

At first splash, this buoyant Blood Orange driven Riesling exhibits the zing of a tart hard candy. On the palate, its feather-light touch leaves you refreshed with mineral and thyme notes to balance the candy-like aromas.

The cool vintage and the contribution of the “Spring Block” at 1200’ features delicate aromas of white nectarine and fresh sliced papaya. This shy but poised to blossom Riesling resonates beautifully with delicate sushi selection such as Negihama or Hamachi Scallion rolls.

The 2014 Louise Riesling is an easy wine to love right now, but don’t be fooled by its enticing aromas of guava, lilac and candied Meyer lemon. Such depth and richness lie beneath the refreshing finish that this wine isn’t likely to express its full potential for another four to eight years.

Riesling’s exotic range of aromas and acidity make it a darling of sommeliers and winemakers. In this vintage, the scents are a fresh burst of elderflower and white nectarine, with just a whiff of petrol to tickle your mind.

The 2011 vintage marked the first year in which the fruit was sourced entirely from the estate. The subdued and intricate aromas of white peaches and honeysuckle intermingle with the richness of guava.

Fruit for this vintage came from the old-vine Riesling vineyard of Long Vineyards in Pritchard Hill. This mature, low-yielding vineyard contributed to the heady honeycomb aromas sought after by Riesling connoisseurs.